 | COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARD | |
| Tuesday, September 12, 2023 | ||
| Minutes of the meeting of the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in the Civic Room of the Comox Valley Regional District offices located at 770 Harmston Avenue, Courtenay, BC commencing at 3:15 pm. | ||
| MINUTES | ||
| Present: | ||
| Chair: | J. Ketler | Village of Cumberland |
| Directors: | R. Hardy | Lazo North (Area B) |
| D. Arbour | Baynes Sound-Denman/Hornby Islands (Area A) | |
| W. Cole-Hamilton | City of Courtenay | |
| K. Grant | Town of Comox | |
| E. Grieve | Puntledge/Black Creek (Area C) | |
| D. Hillian | City of Courtenay | |
| M. McCollum | City of Courtenay | |
| W. Morin | City of Courtenay | |
| J. Kerr | Town of Comox | |
| Staff: | J. Warren | Acting Chief Administrative Officer |
| M. Rutten | General Manager of Engineering Services | |
| L. Wiwcharuk | Chief Financial Officer | |
| D. DeMarzo | General Manager of Community Services | |
| J. Martens | General Manager of Corporate Services | |
| A. Mullaly | General Manager of Planning and Development | |
| A. Baldwin | Legislative Services Assistant | |
| IN-CAMERA MEETING: | ||||||
| K. Grant/W. Morin: THAT the board adjourn to an in-camera session pursuant to the following sub-sections of section 90 of the Community Charter:
(1)(a) Personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the regional district or another position appointed by the regional district; (1)(c) labour relations or other employee relations; (2)(b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the regional district and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Time: 3:18 pm. | ||||||
| RISE AND REPORT: | ||||||
| The Board rose from its in-camera session at 3:50 pm. | ||||||
| The Board reconvened its open session at 4:00 pm. | ||||||
| RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES: | ||||||
| The Chair acknowledged that the meeting was being held on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation and read the following Call to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action report:
Call to Action 31 - Justice: We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to provide sufficient and stable funding to implement and evaluate community sanctions that will provide realistic alternatives to imprisonment for Aboriginal offenders and respond to the underlying causes of offending. | ||||||
| ADOPTION OF MINUTES: | ||||||
| D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the following minutes be adopted:
- Comox Valley Regional District Board minutes dated August 29, 2023; and [Item] | ||||||
| Carried | ||||||
| - Comox Valley Regional District Board minutes dated August 31, 2023. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES: | ||||||
| DELEGATION FOLLOW UP - FRIENDS OF RAILS TO TRAILS VANCOUVER ISLAND (FORT-VI) | ||||||
| J. Martens, General Manager of Corporate Services, provided a verbal update on follow-up with the August 29, 2023 delegation from Jim Smiley and Denise Savoie regarding the feasibility study completed by FORT-VI for the potential conversion of Island Rail Corridor to an active transportation trail and their request that a business case for the corridor for all uses. | ||||||
| PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS: | ||||||
| COMOX VALLEY CRIMESTOPPERS | ||||||
| D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the information presented by Stuart Hartman, Treasurer, regarding the services and activities of Comox Valley Crimestoppers be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| DENMAN ISLAND CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK | ||||||
| D. Arbour/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT the information presented by Ron Wilson, Denman Island Climate Action Network, regarding infrastructure work being done by Fortis in the Comox Valley and a request for a staff report on options to prevent the building of new natural gas infrastructure in the Comox Valley be received. [Item] | ||||||
| Carried | ||||||
| REPORTS: | ||||||
| REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY HOUSING ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT UPDATE | ||||||
| W. Cole-Hamilton/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated September 8, 2023 regarding a process to develop a Regional Affordable Housing Action Plan that will guide implementation of Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Goal #1 and respond, in part, to direction from the Board’s June 2023 Strategic Planning session be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| A. Mullaly, General Manager of Planning and Development Services, provided an overview of the report regarding a process to develop a Regional Affordable Housing Action Plan that will guide implementation of Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Goal #1 and respond, in part, to direction from the Board’s June 2023 Strategic Planning session. | ||||||
| HOMELESSNESS SUPPORTS AND EMERGENCY LAND ACQUISITION SERVICE REVIEW | ||||||
| M. McCollum/K. Grant: THAT the report dated September 8, 2023 regarding the final report of the Homelessness Support Service review and implementation update and the Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Land Acquisition Service review be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| L. Kilpatrick, Community Development and Resilience Manager, and Casandra Vink, Vink Consulting, presented information concerning the Homelessness Support Service review and the Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Land Acquisition Service review. [Item] | ||||||
| W. Cole-Hamilton/W. Morin: THAT the report entitled Homelessness Support Services Review and Implementation and Emergency Shelter Service Review, attached as Appendix A to this report and dated September 6, 2023, be used as an input to the Regional Growth Strategy Housing Action Plan;
AND FURTHER THAT the Board direct staff resources to lead the development of a homelessness needs assessment and community plan in partnership with the coalition; AND FINALLY THAT a maximum of $10,000 be allocated from the Homelessness Supports Service (Function 451) 2023 budget to the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness to undertake a strategic planning process. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUPPORTS INTERIM UPDATE | ||||||
| D. Arbour/E. Grieve: THAT the report dated September 7, 2023 regarding an update concerning the Board’s strategic interest in providing non-market rental housing supports and seeking confirmation on next steps be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| J. Martens, General Manager of Corporate Services, presented information regarding an update concerning the Board’s strategic interest in providing non-market rental housing supports and seeking confirmation on next steps. [Item] | ||||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT staff be directed to engage a third-party consultant to prepare a business case and seek advice for the possible establishment of a local government corporation to facilitate the creation of new non-market housing;
AND FURTHER THAT $75,000 for professional fees be allocated from the Management Services sub-function of the Administration and General Government Service for this purpose. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT staff be directed to work with member municipalities and other community partners to explore opportunities for using public land to deliver affordable housing. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Director McCollum left the meeting at 6:42 pm. | ||||||
| The Board recessed at 6:43 pm and reconvened at 6.55 pm. | ||||||
| Director McCollum was in attendance when the meeting reconvened. | ||||||
| E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT the agenda be varied to consider recommendation no. 2 under item 9 (Electoral Areas Services Committee - September 11, 2023) next on the agenda. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/D. Arbour: THAT a Temporary Use Permit (TUP 1C 23) be approved for a term of three years to permit a community care facility licensed pursuant to Community Care and Assisted Living Act on property described as Lot A, Block 249, Comox District, Plan 27411, Except Parcel "A" (DD R100949), PID 000-120-456 (8090 and 8100 Forbidden Plateau Road);
AND FINALLY THAT the Corporate Legislative Officer be authorized to execute the Temporary Use Permit once the applicant has: 1. provided a written acknowledgement that the applicant has read, understood and agreed to the conditions of the permit; and 2. obtained a building permit for the “resort building,” as shown on the Site Map in Schedule A of the permit, due to its use being changed. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| Rob DeClark, applicant, was in attendance. | ||||||
| ANNUAL TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM | ||||||
| K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated September 7, 2023 regarding recommended transit improvements be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| M. Zbarsky, Manager of Transit and Facilities, presented information regarding recommended transit improvements. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Arbour/D. Hillian: THAT a conventional transit service expansion of be approved for implementation in 2024 to include:
a. 5,000 service hours for route #5 Vanier to improve access to the Comox Valley Foodbank, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, Vanier Secondary School and Comox Valley Sports Centre b. 500 service hours for route #10 Fanny bay to enable a connection to Nanaimo Transit at Deep Bay. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| K. Grant/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT a paratransit expansion of 800 hours be approved for implementation in 2024 to extend handyDART service into the evenings. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| REGIONAL AIRSHED PROTECTION STRATEGY | ||||||
| D. Hillian/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated September 6, 2023 regarding the revised Airshed Protection Strategy based on feedback from the May 10, 2022, Board meeting and to provide recommended implementation actions be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| Daphne Mazarura, Policy and Planning Analyst, presented information regarding the revised Airshed Protection Strategy based on feedback from the May 10, 2022, Board meeting and to provide recommended implementation actions. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Hillian/W. Morin: THAT the Regional Airshed Protection Strategy (Strategy), attached as Appendix A to this staff report dated September 6, 2023, be endorsed for implementation by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in accordance with the CVRD’s jurisdiction;
AND THAT the Strategy be distributed to the Airshed Roundtable Steering Committee member agencies with a request that the agencies/organizations implement the Strategy’s actions either independently or in partnership, based on jurisdictional responsibilities and operational abilities; AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to focus on Strategy actions that the CVRD has existing authority to implement (i.e. those that relate to educational initiatives and advocacy), being: - 1B: Develop targeted strategies to enhance cleaner burning education. - 2C: Expand financial support and education for wood-burning appliance removals. - 5A: Expand air quality monitoring network for education and to conduct ongoing data analysis. - 6A: Align education and communication initiatives from the Wood Smoke Reduction Program with the Action Plan. - 6B: Identify and incorporate creative and collaborative educational campaigns on wood smoke reduction impacts. - 6C: Plan and implement education events, courses and webinars. AND FINALLY THAT staff purchase ten PurpleAir monitors valued at US$2,290, for distribution to residents as a citizen science initiative as part of the 2023/24 BC Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program. | ||||||
| 208 and 212 | Carried | |||||
| PERMISSIVE TAX EXEMPTION – SUNNYDALE GOLF SOCIETY 2024 | ||||||
| D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the report dated August 30, 2023 regarding Sunnydale Golf Society’s (the Society) application for a 2024 permissive tax exemption be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| K. Douville, Manager Financial Planning, provided an overview of the report regarding Sunnydale Golf Society’s (the Society) application for a 2024 permissive tax exemption. | ||||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT pursuant to section 391(4)(a) of the Local Government Act, a bylaw be prepared for the board’s consideration allowing for a 100 per cent permissive tax exemption of the taxable land and improvements for the year 2024 for the property known as Parcel A, Plan VIP64403, Land District 15, Folio No. 771-000500.000 (Sunnydale Golf Society) with the exception of the portion of Class 06-Business/Other relating to the pro shop operations. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | NAY: M. McCollum; W. Cole-Hamilton | ||||
| PERMISSIVE TAX EXEMPTION 2024 – UNION BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ||||||
| D. Arbour/K. Grant: THAT the report dated August 30, 2023 regarding the Union Bay Historical Society (Society) application for a 2024 permissive tax exemption for the Union Bay Post Office and Gaol House Museum buildings be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| K. Douville, Manager Financial Planning, provided an overview of the report regarding he Union Bay Historical Society (Society) application for a 2024 permissive tax exemption for the Union Bay Post Office and Gaol House Museum buildings. | ||||||
| K. Grant/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT pursuant to section 392(1)(c) of the Local Government Act, a bylaw be prepared for the board’s consideration allowing for a permissive tax exemption for the 2024 taxation year for an amount equal to 100 per cent of the net taxable land and improvements for Section 32, Land District 34, Township 1, Folio #771 010800.000 (Union Bay Historical Society). | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| 2024 FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS AND PROPOSED CHANGES | ||||||
| K. Grant/D. Arbour: THAT the report dated September 8, 2023 regarding proposed changes to the financial planning process be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| L. Wiwcharuk, Chief Financial Officer, presented information regarding proposed changes to the financial planning process. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT the Comox Valley Regional District Board endorse the proposed changes to the 2024 Financial Planning process as detailed within the report dated September 8, 2023. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE - SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 | ||||||
| Director Hardy provided an update regarding the funding requests from the August 29, 2023 Comox Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society delegation, which was considered and granted at the September 11, 2023 Electoral Areas Services Committee. | ||||||
| K. Grant/E. Grieve: THAT Development Variance Permit DV 3C 23 (Jestico) be approved to increase the maximum combined floor area of three accessory buildings from 200 square meters to 232 square metres, as identified on Schedule C of the permit, on property described as Lot 2, District Lot 227, Comox District, Plan 48298, PID 013-550-756 (4327 Munster Road);
AND FINALLY THAT the Corporate Legislative Officer be authorized to execute the permit. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | NAY: D. Arbour | ||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT a site-specific engineer’s prescription for the siting of a proposed single detached dwelling relative to the 2100-year floodplain setback of Bylaw No. 600, being the “Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, 2020,” be approved on the property described as Lot 15, District Lot 191, Comox District, Plan 14276, PID 004-383-842 (unaddressed lot at Andrew Avenue);
AND FINALLY THAT, as a condition of the engineer’s site specific floodplain setback, the property owners, at their own expense, register a restrictive covenant under Section 219 of the Land Title Act, specifying conditions that would enable the land to be safely used for the use intended according to the terms of the engineer report prepared by Alex McBride, P.Eng., dated June 20, 2023, which will form part of the restrictive covenant, as well as an acknowledgement that no Disaster Financial Assistance funding is available for the building or its contents and releasing and indemnifying the Comox Valley Regional District from liability in the event any damage is caused by flooding or erosion. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the agency referral list as outlined in Appendix A of staff report dated September 6, 2023 be endorsed and that staff be directed to start the external agency referral process for The West ½ of District Lot 14, Nelson District, PID 009-937-013 (Roycreek Farm Ltd.) as part of a proposed amendment (RZ 1C 23) of Bylaw No. 520, being the “Rural Comox Valley Zoning Bylaw, No. 520, 2019”;
AND FINALLY THAT Comox Valley Regional District staff consult with First Nations in accordance with the referrals management program dated September 25, 2012. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| Prior to consideration of the recommendation regarding the Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Corporation, Director Arbour recused himself from the meeting at 8:36 pm, declaring a potential conflict of interest due to business relations with the Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Corporation. | ||||||
| K. Grant/J. Kerr: THAT the Board provide a letter of support for the Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Corporation's applications to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) Initiative to support workforce housing. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Director Arbour returned to the meeting at 8:36 pm. | ||||||
| BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS: | ||||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 785 being “Comox Valley Regional District Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 785, 2023” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | NAY: M. McCollum | ||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 785 being “Comox Valley Regional District Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 785, 2023” be given third reading. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | NAY: M. McCollum | ||||
| D. Hillian/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 786 being “Comox Valley Regional District Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 786, 2023” be given first and second readings concurrently. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/M. McCollum: THAT Bylaw No. 786 being “Comox Valley Regional District Property Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 786, 2023” be given third reading. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| K. Grant/D. Hillian: THAT Bylaw No. 766 "Comox Valley Emergency Program Extended Service Establishment Bylaw 1991, Amendment No. 4” be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 782 being "Comox Valley Regional District Planning Procedures and Fees Bylaw No. 328, 2014, Amendment No. 5" be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 783 being "Development Permit Delegation Bylaw No. 2365, 2001, Amendment No. 5" be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| K. Grant/W. Cole-Hamilton: THAT Bylaw No. 787 being "Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 104, 2010, Amendment No. 24" be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT Bylaw No. 788 being "Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing Bylaw No. 679, 2021, Amendment No. 4" be adopted. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| ADJOURN TO IN-CAMERA | ||||||
| D. Arbour/D. Hillian: THAT the Board move back into its in-camera session. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Time: 8:38 pm. | ||||||
| RISE AND REPORT: | ||||||
| The Board rose from its restricted in-camera session at 10:01 pm. | ||||||
| TERMINATION: | ||||||
| E. Grieve/K. Grant: THAT the meeting terminate. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Time: 10:01 pm | ||||||
| Confirmed this _______ day of ______ 20___:
____________________________________ Jesse Ketler Chair | |
| Certified Correct: ____________________________________ Jake Martens General Manager of Corporate Services | |
| Recorded By: ____________________________________ Antoinette Baldwin Legislative Services Assistant |